What do you do if....?

Question

your county does not have records of when you house was built??
They have a date of 1890 but we have town maps that our house was here in 1850's.
It's just for our own use, our house has some great historical items in it, the original winding staircase is still here.

I have been to the library and to the court house for records search (no luck).
But the last known guy to own our property we found is burried right down the road Civil War Sgt., so we take flowers and keep it cleaned off. We have gotten some historical records on him and his family.

Answer 1

I have encountered a similar situation. What I've done is get all the books on my county's history to see if there is any mention of the road/subdivision or area our property is in. Sometimes in these books you can find old photographs that you haven't seen before. I'd also contact your local historical commission....they are sometimes of help.

Good luck...this is a frustrating road to be on!

Answer 2

Not to be a nitpicker, but the map shows that *A* house was there - is it possible the structure was destroyed and later rebuilt?

I would think a review of property titles (standard procedure at purchase) would reveal when the current building was constructed. Land records can, of course, be lost, incorrect, or incomplete. Older title deeds, if available, may be helpful as well. Do you have contact with the previous owners, if any?

Answer 3

Well if you got the money, i am thinking you can carbon date your house. Should give you a ruff idea.

The other option is to dig around your house. architecture flows with the social changes, and technology. You should be able to pick the oldest parts or things and date your house accurately.

IE 1850 they used copper moldings for support beam hinges. Or 1845 most houses were not built with horse tie ups. or coal shoots.

Antique dealers can also place the time period of an item. Lamps, lights, furniture. have to find something that is part of the house though.

plus you can go to the library and research house architecture. Roman columns and other door way structures are easy to date.

Answer 4

I don't see how a town map could more than indicate an address and perhaps that a building existed - *NOT* that it was specifically your house as it sits today. The pre-existing house could have burnt down and been rebuilt.